The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-11-04
The Last of the CragshaWS.

HOOr, SlCKlY, nOHlely LOIS CTaBoub"
was twenty-three years old when her
mother died. She was twenty-five on
the very day that her unkind old IA
ther left her an orphan-an orphan
without friends-and the last OF the
New England CragshawS.
1t was on Sunday that he died. He
was buried on Tuesday morning. Tues
day afternoon Lois Cragshaw walked
away from the lonely house that was
hers now down the road to the village.
She walked rapidly. as if with
a set purpose and her lips
worked as if her mind was
busy with words that were soon to be
spoken. She met those that knew her,
but she did not see them, nor did she
seem to feel the looks OF wonder and
Of disapproval bent on her by those
who had seen her standing that very
morning, mute, fearless and unmoved
by her fathers open grave.
She passed them all unheeding by.
Her steps quiCkened even more, and
the color rose to her cheeks as with
ont who nears his end. Her breath
came fast as she sprang up the steps
OF the little brown shop that was
really the only dollar-mark OF the viii
fage. CHANGING around her, not at
the loungors holooked at her, but at
the objects scattered on the narrow
shelves and counters, she fixed her
eyes on a shelf that hid itself
in one dusky cornor away below
others that were wider and more pre-
Eentious. This seemed to be what
she sought, for her face sottened a lit
tie while it grew no less earnest, and
her strained muscles relaxed, and her
body showed more than her manner
that she was preparing to wait her
turn"
One by one the waiting people, serv-
ed or satisfied with much staring,
turned away and gave to the next his
lawful rights. Some, it is true, went
no further than the doorway, where
they stopped to talk in low tones and
with many chances at Lois, but this
the brown old man who waited on
them seemed to understand and SYM
pathize with, for he paid no heed
to them, but walked at once to
where Lois Cragshaw stood. She did
not see him. Her eyes were liked on
that little lower shell, and she started
when he said to her-softly, for her
drawn, excited face almost frightened
him-"Wea, Lois?" She started so
when he spoke to her that he spoke
again as to q child, with the quaver-
Inc softness OF an old mani"
Well, Lois, what can give youto-
day."
THAT" she said, and pointed to
the little lower shelf.
The old man followed with his eyes
the direction OF her finger. He bent
forward to look more closely in the
dusky corner at what the shell con.
tanned.
'eThatl' said Louis again, as il he
had not heard her.
A tear came into the eye OF the kind
old man as be remembered what folks
had said OF her mother in years gone
past, And he said TO himself poor
LoisE Her wits are gone, too, sure
enough"
THAT said Lois Cragshaw, leaning
over the stained and whitfield coun
ter.
Eyes, yes, Lois gently spoke the
awed snop-keeper with an air OF light
ness he. was far from feeling. "But
there's more'n one that here Which
that would We have9"
s'The red one,n she said. "The red
one next the blue onel Oh, don't We
see2n
Eyes, indeedy, indeedyl hi eenouehl
I'LL give IL vel Wait q minute an I'LL
dust the durt of fur We" he said with
q glance at her black gown. DSure
enough Lois, I'll give it to vel"
Carefully turning his back upo n her
be rubbed the covers OF q small red
book with his big giuham handker.
chief, then slowly turned and gave it
to her. She was waiting, one hand
a~utstretched. the fingers twitching. In
the other hand was the purse she had
not forgotten, so strong was her de-
sire for possession. The gaping neigh.
bors gasped as they saw theOid strap
ped wallet, into which 90 many had
paid the ransom from b sharp bar.
gain, but from which none conld re-
member having wrested an extra OPP
per.
How much is ito" asked Lois ia 4
hot whisper.
Tie mar shuddered a little at the
thought Of dead mans money so
sooh coming into bis tin, but lis
thrift GOT the better Of his supersti.
ton.
ssWell, I used to say q dollagsn fifty
bat folks about here don't seenn Ia
take much TO that sort 3 thing. an
they We been lynn arOund IN thai
suieh Tor some time. IN call II sever